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Blaye River Cruises

About Blaye

If you’re taking a river cruise which explores France’s beautiful Bordeaux region, then there’s every chance you’ll visit Blaye on your travels. Blaye sits on the Gironde River on the right bank of the Gironde estuary, and is around 35 miles north of Bordeaux. If you’re travelling inland, it is the last river port you’ll visit before the Gironde converges with the Dordogne and Garonne rivers. The town started off life as a port occupied by the ancient Gaul tribe the Santones and was formerly known as Blaye-et-Sainte-Luce until its name was shortened to ‘Blaye’ in 1961. The Frankish hero Roland is said to have been buried in the town’s basilica, where the famous citadel now stands. Indeed, the citadel is key to the town’s history, as it played an important role in the wars against the English and Spanish.

Exploring Blaye

The main attraction in Blaye is undoubtedly the ruins of its aforementioned 17th century citadel, which is set in the rock beside the river and was built by France’s leading military engineer at the time, Vauban. Along with the town’s walls and its two Forts – Pate and Medoc – the citadel is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it also holds within its ruins a gothic chateau, which houses the tomb of Charibert II, king of Aquitaine. Not surprisingly, the vast majority of river cruise excursions typically offer a guided tour of the castle, on which you’ll get to learn all about its fascinating history.

If you find yourself with a little more time to spend in Blaye, then another popular attraction within walking distance of the citadel is the Chateau Marquis de Vauban winery. Here, visitors can sample vintages from the Medoc region and tailor their visit to suit and the winery offers guided tours, wine-tastings, a wine-grower’s lunch and for something a little different, horse carriage tours of its picturesque grounds. If you want to make viticulture the focus of your visit to Blaye but feel like something a little more personalised, then Villa St Simon offers a number of private tours.

Blaye tips

Unsurprisingly, Blaye is a great place to sample a vintage red or two but it also boasts quite a large number of quality restaurants for its size offering all manner of authentic French cuisine on their menus.

Blaye Itineraries

Bordeaux

Beautiful Bordeaux

26 sailing dates April 2023 to October 2024
10 Nights From Bordeaux, France to Bordeaux

New incredible savings on 2023 European River Cruises - available for a limited time only!

Scenic River Cruises logo FROM £3389pp
Paris

Beautiful Bordeaux with Paris

12 sailing dates April 2023 to September 2023
12 Nights From Paris, to France , Bordeaux
Scenic River Cruises logo CALL
Paris

Bordeaux Affair with Highlights of Paris

5 sailing dates June 2023 to May 2024
9 Nights From Paris, to France , Bordeaux
Scenic River Cruises logo FROM £2729pp
Lyon

Ultimate France - Bordeaux to Arles

26 sailing dates April 2023 to October 2024
21 Nights From Bordeaux, France to Arles
Uniworld River Cruises logo FROM £9089pp
Blaye

Brilliant Bordeaux - Bordeaux to Bordeaux

58 sailing dates April 2023 to October 2024
7 Nights From Bordeaux, France to Bordeaux

The Year to Remember Sales Event: Save up to £2,400 per couple*

Uniworld River Cruises logo FROM £1999pp
Blaye

Taste of Bordeaux

63 sailing dates April 2023 to November 2024
7 Nights From Bordeaux, France to Bordeaux

EXCLUSIVE OFFER | Receive €100pp FREE to spend on-board on any Europe 2023 river cruise. Save up to £1,200 per couple PLUS FREE flights from London and FREE overseas transfers* on selected sailings. Regional supplements from just £75pp.

AmaWaterways logo FROM £2499pp
Bordeaux

Bordeaux Affair - Bordeaux to Bordeaux

13 sailing dates April 2023 to October 2024
7 Nights From Bordeaux, France to Bordeaux

New incredible savings on 2023 European River Cruises - available for a limited time only!

Scenic River Cruises logo FROM £2659pp
Libourne

Flavours of Bordeaux - Bordeaux to Bordeaux

3 sailing dates May 2023 to September 2023
10 Nights From Bordeaux, France to Bordeaux

New incredible savings on 2023 European River Cruises - available for a limited time only!

Scenic River Cruises logo FROM £3829pp
Bordeaux

Beautiful Bordeaux with Madrid -Bordeaux To Madrid

15 sailing dates April 2023 to September 2024
13 Nights From Bordeaux, France to Spain , Madrid
Scenic River Cruises logo FROM £4719pp
Paris

Beautiful Bordeaux with Highlights of Paris

5 sailing dates June 2024 to September 2024
12 Nights From Paris, to France , Bordeaux
Scenic River Cruises logo FROM £4729pp

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